Location: Virginia
Service Number: A03/TQ2.0.02146E1
Country: United States

I know for most of us, much of this info is all pretty common knowledge, but I thought it might be fun/useful to have it all in one place with pictures of the “personal touches” the actors gave their characters. Please feel free to add missing info and/or backstories!

Crowe

-Breastplate: “The bird” w/wing art

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Wierzbowski

-Helmet: “SKI” on back above his name stensil

-Back: “Spam in a can” w/rough hand drawn art

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-Crotch: “Spare Weapon” w/an arrow pointing to his junk

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Frost

-Breastplate: “Heath” (short for “Heather”, his girlfriend at the time) inside a heart w/arrow.*(As I’ve gathered, they did the heart too small and could only fit “Heath”, but someone assured him people would know it was short for Heather and to not worry about it…)

-Shoulder: Sticker/tape that reads “When in doubt, nuke em”

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Dietrich

-Arm: Red cross tattoo w/drop of blood

-Rear: “Kiss My…” w/a drawing of lips written in red

-Breastplate: A red ‘No entry’ sign *(One that for years I assumed was meant for projectiles…then felt stupid when Moosh pointed out it was about her heart. Women, eh?)

-T Shirt: Also has red cross on back and same ‘no entry’ sign in front

-Chest plate: “El Riesgo Siempre Vive” in white paint*(translated to ‘The risk always lives’. The actress stated in the “making of” film that it was chosen from one of her favorite poems )

-On her weapon: “Adios” in white paint

-On her back (BDU top): Written “Loco” in black marker (Harry’s pic)

-On her tank top neckline: A poorly drawn, then abandoned attempt at a skull in black marker*(I forget where I heard/read that, but it was def somewhere…)

Drake

-Hat: “This END UP” in marker & some kind of bead/chicken bone necklace through brim.

-Neck/weapon: Another beeded necklace with feathers/bones that is around his neck early, then tied around the barrel of the smartgun later.

-Weapon: “My Bitch” written on body. “Grrr” written on barrel. (pics needed)

Apone

-n/a. The man was no-nonsense.

Spunkmeyer

-Nothing known by me. Anyone?

Ferro

-Helmet: “Fly the friendly skies”

-Pistol holster: A lucky rabbits foot

Hudson

-Helmet: In black marker he has; an 8-ball drawing, his “game over” countdown, and “dead head” written on the helmet cover.*(good pics needed)

-Body Armor: Pretty iconic and well known stuff. *(If anyone wants to get into deeper meaning, please feel free. Other than Louise being his fiancé’ at the time, I think most of it is just him being a smart ass)

-Crotch: Sardine key

-Neck: paracord necklace (need pics)

-Rt Strap: A bolo knot. A nod to his Texas heritage? (need pics)

Hicks

-Breastplate: Heart and pad-lock (need good pic)*(worth noting that Michael Biehn did not do the personalizations and in the ‘making of’ video vocalized displeasure with the previous actor cast as Hicks putting a “target” (the heart) on the armor)

-Back: Chinese(?) character. *(I’ve heard the character translates to something about love. Also some reproductions show “Danger” “Lifer” on the back, although from this screen grab I don’t see it. If anyone knows that back story please fill in the gaps).

-Shoulder: “Born again” written around a bullet hole (need pics)

I’m sure I’ve missed things. Especially with Hicks and Hudson this stuff is so common that I didn’t really dig very deep. I would appreciate and welcome anyone that has something to add. Be it a personal touch missed, a back story filled in, or even just a better picture. Thanks!

Also some reproductions show “Danger” “Lifer” on the back, although from this screen grab I don’t see it.

"Lifer" (in white letters) can be seen between his lower armour attachment (braces?). Never heard a backstory from Michael Biehn (or James Remar ), but the simple answer is that a "Lifer" is someone who has no intention of quitting or retiring from (in this case) the Corps. They are in "for life."

This may cause further problems, but the US Army Nurse's Caduceus collar insignia comes in several different versions, depending on whether they were made pre, mid or post WW2, or even later, with the N in a number of different colours.

Location: Virginia
Service Number: A03/TQ2.0.02146E1
Country: United States

SSgt Burton wrote:

"Lifer" (in white letters) can be seen between his lower armour attachment (braces?). Never heard a backstory from Michael Biehn (or James Remar ), but the simple answer is that a "Lifer" is someone who has no intention of quitting or retiring from (in this case) the Corps. They are in "for life."

I've never seen "Danger" on his armour either.

Kevin

Awesome to the max. And yes, now I see the white letters "lifer". I was half expecting it to appear in red like on the reproduction armor I had seen before (and Moosh later posted), but sure enough, there it is.

There has been "a lot" of debate about the meaning of the numbers of Hicks' tattoo-

I don't think it is an SSN, but might be part of his Marine service number. I like to say it is his "Vidfone" number for the laydeez.

Kevin

Nice thread! Have been thinking this for ages so its great that someone picked it up. Had a discussion with an artist way back planning to do a small PDF guide to the Marines but both were busy with other projects. So I encourage all guys here to continue and excavate details and post pics to complete it all, I know here is more on the forum.

As for Hicks SSN I actually asked him at a con a few years back. He said that the prop department gave them hands free to "personalize" their outlooks so he took a grease pencil and wrote his SSN on his arm that he thought was cool. I interpreted as a flesh tag so one knows who the body belongs to in case of mutilation. - So now you can use it.. he said smiling. I said -Yeah later, and smiled back.He suddenly looked like a ghost that scared me a little and he hurriedly backed off. He probably thought I was a stalker and got second thoughts which felt a little strange.

He also claim SSN during a magazine interview and I think it is also mentioned on one of the DVDs/BR's.

As for continuing Marine personalization there is the Barbed wire neck tattoo, whose was it... Hudsons?? that has to be added (don't recall if a couple of dog tags were also in the tattoo)? The Eye on the Drakes Smartgun Eye piece must be added.Dietrichs Medic bag has a huge red cross painted on it.The Chinese signs on Hicks armor btw are deciphered in detail here somewhere. Some one with more time then me have to go through the archives.

Could we list all the details in text for each character to get a more clear overview?

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